‘Speaks For Himself’: Congress Disowns Shashi Tharoor’s Advani Praise But Cashes In On Party's ‘Liberal Spirit’

Congress on Sunday distanced itself from Thiruvananthapuram MP Shashi Tharoor’s recent remarks praising veteran BJP leader LK Advani, saying that Tharoor ‘speaks for himself’ and his comments do not reflect the party’s position."

Congress Media and Publicity Department Chairman Pawan Khera stated that Tharoor’s remarks, made as a party working committee member and MP, reflect the party’s ‘liberal spirit’.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Khera wrote, “Like always, Dr Shashi Tharoor speaks for himself, and the Indian National Congress outrightly dissociates itself from his most recent statement. That he continues to do so as a Congress MP and CWC member reflects the essential democratic and liberal spirit unique to INC.”

Like always, Dr. Shashi Tharoor speaks for himself and the Indian National Congress outrightly dissociates itself from his most recent statement.

That he continues to do so as a Congress MP and CWC member reflects the essential democratic and liberal spirit unique to INC.

— Pawan Khera 🇮🇳 (@Pawankhera) November 9, 2025

ALSO READ: 'Are Muslims Allowed To Join RSS?': Mohan Bhagwat Responds, Also Speaks On Why Members Join BJP

Shashi Tharoor Praises LK Advani

On Lal Krishna Advani’s 98th birthday, Tharoor praised the veteran BJP leader, sharing an old photograph of him with the former deputy prime minister. He said, Advani’s “unwavering commitment to public service, his modesty & decency, and his role in shaping the trajectory of modern India are indelible”.

Calling the former union minister ‘a true statesman,’ Tharoor said, “life of service has been exemplary”.

ALSO READ: Bihar: Prashant Kishor Rules Out Post-Poll Alliance, Says 'Will Force Re-Election If Needed'

Tharoor Clarifies Remarks Amid Questions Over ‘Ideology’

After his praise for BJP veteran LK Advani on the latter’s 98th birthday sparked debate over his ‘ideology’, Tharoor responded with a caveat, citing Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi as examples.

“Reducing his (Advani's) long years of service to one episode, however significant, is also unfair,” Tharoor wrote on X. This came after a lawyer appeared to reference Advani’s Rath Yatra, an event widely regarded as a catalyst for the demolition of the Babri Masjid in Ayodhya, where a Ram Mandir now stands following the Supreme Court’s ruling.

“The totality of Nehruji’s career cannot be judged by the China setback, nor Indira Gandhi’s by the Emergency alone. I believe we should extend the same courtesy to Advaniji,” Tharoor added.